By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Preliminary work is underway to create seven new practice fields for football and soccer, city council members learned recently.
Assistant Public Works Director Greg Velazquez gave an update on work on the Del Rio Practice Fields during the May 24 meeting of the Del Rio City Council.
“The proposed practice fields, in collaboration with Val Verde County, their proposed location is (between) Fox Drive and Amistad Boulevard,” Velazquez told the council.
He noted there has been one meeting at the proposed practice field site, adding he invited County Commissioner Pct. 3 Beau Nettleton to attend the council meeting. Nettleton sat in the audience during the council meeting.
Velazquez said during the meeting held at the site, a large, roughly funnel-shaped field on the east side of Kings Way between Amistad Boulevard and Fox Drive, he and Nettleton reviewed topographical maps of the site prepared by County Engineer Carlos Velarde, who also attended the May 24 council meeting.
“We reviewed the possible means to detour drainage at the intersections at Kings Way and Amistad Boulevard and Arrowhead. City staff will review the elevation shots provided by the county engineer, and we also discussed a proposed parking area,” Velazquez said.
He told the council a well driller would provide the city with a quote for future well development on the site.
Velazquez said the casing has collapsed on a well previously drilled at the site and noted a new well will need to be drilled there.
Velazquez also presented a drawing of the proposed layouts for the practice fields.
He showed the topographical map prepared by Velarde that depicts the natural drainage of the site, from Amistad Boulevard on its northern end toward Fox Drive at its southern limit.
He said the current plan is to create four football fields about 270 feet by 165 feet and three “U-8” soccer fields about 120 feet by 80 feet.
“I think this is much needed. We all know it’s much needed for our children here in Del Rio,” he added.
After Velazquez finished his presentation, City Manager John Sheedy thanked Nettleton and Velarde and the county staff who have worked on the project.
“This is a very exciting project because we always believe that working together, collaborating, we can make this happen very quickly and very cheaply, so we’re paying very close attention to how we’re going to do the irrigation, the grading. We believe we’re going to be able to do this quickly and cost effectively, and it’s going to bring four football fields and three soccer fields, and we’re very excited to be able to have these practice fields,” Sheedy said.
Councilwoman Ernestina “Tina” Martinez said she is happy to see the city and county forces will be working together to complete the project.
Councilman J.P. Sanchez noted the area used to be a local grass farm, adding that the water well on site had been sizable.
“It was a good producer and was able to sustain (grass on) all that area. Hopefully with the assistance of the county we can get that well going again to be able to utilize on these fields,” he said.
Mayor Pro-Tem Jim DeReus thanked Nettleton, who was seated in the audience.
“This is big. It’s not the perfect solution that we all would like, but it’s a really good start, and I’m happy that we’re moving forward together on this,” DeReus said.
Councilman Alfredo “Fred” Carranza Jr. asked how close the fields would be to the neighborhoods on Kings Way, adding if he didn’t know if there was a plan for fencing, and parking will likely provide a challenge as well.
“Any idea of what this will cost us?” Carranza asked.
“I think the only thing we’d have to look at is the irrigation installation and the well. Like I said, we put a camera down the (well) hole, the casing is collapsed, so we can’t pull the pump out. My idea was pull the (old) pump out and put a new one, a test pump, to see how much production we could get . . . but unfortunately with that casing being collapsed, we couldn’t do that,” Velazquez replied.
“So what we’re proposing is to drill a well right next to it, which shouldn’t be a problem. We’re looking at maybe 140 feet. The static water level should be there. So it’s just that cost and the irrigation. Other than that, it’s going to be a collaboration of county forces and city forces,” Velazquez added.
“The county is going to come to the table with some money, too?” Carranza asked.
“We’ll see,” Nettleton replied from the audience.
Councilwoman Alexandra Falcon Calderon asked when the project would be started.
Velazquez said he would continue meeting with the county and return to the council when he had firm costs and a more exact timeline.
Calderon also asked if the neighbors in the area needed to be notified of the project.
“It is much needed, and I think the community will definitely support it. Children out there need a place to practice, and I think we would have the support,” Velazquez said.
He added once the city has a more concrete plan, he would work with city communications staff to publicize the project.
No action was taken following the presentation.
—
Contact the author at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
